A series of 5-(4-biphenylyl)-7-aryl[3,4-d] [1,2,3]-benzothiadiazoles were synthesized, characterized by IR, NMR and elemental analysis and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial data revealed that compounds 7a-j had better activity against tested Gram-positive organisms than the reference ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. However, the compounds were nearly inactive against Gram-negative bacteria. Compound 7c and 7d were the most active compounds against Gram-positive bacteria. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.